Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1887-11-19
BOOK WORLD.
SOME OF THE CHOICE BOOKS OF
THE DAY.
Fiction, History, Biography, Science,
POefry-Holiday Publica-
cations-Magazin

OF Letters ana Drawings, Is royal octave
volume from the press of Charles Scribner's
Sons, and prepared by Mrs. Brookfeld,
aided by James Russell Lowell. In behalf
of the publishers says one critic: When
the serial publication of these letters was
begun, the New York Nation said that if
the series continued like its first number
English literature had new classic 1t
is now known that the promise of the
beginning was far more than fulfilled in
all that followed and the existence of the
new English classic is by this time widely
recognized and quite beyond all doubt"
Certainly the letters give US Thackeray in a
new light and illumipe his character No
more blessings collection of letters do
we now call to mind. Mrs. Brookfiel re-
ceives the thanks of the literary world for
this production. The volume is published
as royal quarto. uncut edges, gilt top for
$40, and in cheaper form, octave for 81 so
q Microscopy for Beginners" is study
Of common objects from the ponds and
bitches. by DR.. Alfred G. Stokes. 1t is Ilus.
trated by IT'S clear illustrations. We have
had occasion to examine this book with the
companionship of skilled microscopist. and
10 apply some of its tests and measure IT'S
value by comparison with more pretentious
textbooks. We are free to say that with
taste for microscopy no other book has
so gratifed it, for it is clear and
explicit in its explanations, leads
the amateur in research along by easy de-
Srees, and Introduces one into the DEPART
ment of natural history in a manner that
appetizes the taste for profounder study.
1t is handbook in natural science we can
cordially recommend. Microscopy is every
day growing in popularity with the young,
and the interest 1t awakens speaks well for
the wide diffusion of knowledge concerning
this branch of natural history. New York,
Harper d Brothers. San francisco, The
Bancroft Company.
Horse, Foot and Dragons" is a
quarto volume containing sketches of army
lite at home and abroad, by Rufus Fair
child Zogbaum. 1t is richly illustrated
from drawings by the author. These pic
lures are original in character and of strik-
ing effect in light and shade The frontis-
piece, on the most delicate silk paper, is
line as an etching, and represents cavalry
guidon-bearer mounted, and in fatigue
uniform. The sketches embrace war pic
lures in time of peace in the armies of
France, Great Britain, Germany and the
United States, with some of actual conflict
and battle scenes. The author has very
happy way of telling his experiences, and
makes every chapter vital with interest.
New York: Harper & Brothers; San Fran
cisco The Bancroft Company.
The series of Interstate MonthIies. pub
lshed at Boston, consisting of Grammar
School-tor young people; The informed
late-for boys and girls, and the Primary
Tor younger ones, are among the most in
terestlng and instructive publications for
these classes of readers, to be found. They
are neatly illustrated and the short stories
and other reading matter contained in
them IS of the choicest and most attractive,
partaking of the nature of magazine litera-
ture, history, cbildren's frolics, etc. The
prices of the several publications are, the
Grammar School, 81 per year; Interme-
date Monthly, so cents Primary Monthly.
30 cents, and Primmer, 30 cents. Address,
Interstate Publishing Company, 80 Frank
lin street, Boston, Mass.
"Risifi's Daughter" is poetical drama bv
the brilliant new writer, Anna Katharine
Green. She has poetic talent of a fine or
der; her imagination is fervid and her
method of expression vigorous and devoid
OF wordlness. She is an admirable story
teller, aad as novelist has achieved sue
cess. This poetic drama will never com
mand the attention of its predecessor, 1.-THE
Defense OF the Bride and Other Poems" for
poetlcal dramas never secure so wide a
reading as less extended works of poetic
merit, but in its vigor and charm of recital
II Is below nothing that has come from the
pen of this author. New York and Lon
don, g. P. Putnam's Sons; San Francisco,
the Bancroft Company.
Social Studies" is the title of 16mo.
volume containing lectures and papers by
Rev. K. Heber Newton, the distinguished
New York clergyman, Rector of All Souls
lkplscopaD Church. The subjects treated
ar labor, CO operation, production, the
WaFElnOman and ha Toto oil i.
and modern commercial associations, in
temperance, moral education in public
schools, the kindergarten in church work
religious aspect of socialism, communism.
The reading of these studies impress
one with the courage of the clergyman, and
awakens admiration for his originality,
brll!iancy and learning. New York Geo.
I. Putnam's Sons. San Francisco The
Bancroft Company.
The Wonder Clock is by Howard Pyle,
with designs by the author and verses by
Katherine Pyle. 1t is announced and
printed in quaint style, after the manner of
the antique, and is altogether strange and
fascinating book. 1t consists of twenty
four marvellous tales" one for each hour
of the day. The stories will delight young
readers, and the volume will prove an ad-
mlrabie holiday present. Its peculiar
makeup" its odd division into hours and
the side humor of the tales told as of 1.-THE
olden time" make it book that will prove
very attractive to masters and misses.
Press OF Harper & Brothers, New York
The Bancroft Company, San Francisco.
From C. S. Houghton, Sacramento, we
have from the press of Houghton, Miffiin
d Co, novel by Joseph Kirkland, entitled
'Hury; the Meanest Man in Spring County;
Novel OF Western Life" In many re-
spects II is an interesting book and
a strong one. The pictures of West
ern characters are iife-like. and The
nomenclature employed and the dia-
lect and Westernisms of language
are true nd free from exaggeration. These
latter are so numerous that glossary in
terpretlng them is appended. The story
OF 4 political campaign in the West is the
best and most striking feature of the very
amusing and dramatic tale
OF the Questions of the Day series we
have number XNNVIII. 1t is an ANALYSIS
of the provisions of The Interstate Com
merce Act" and is by ]. r. DosPassos, of
the New York bar. G. z. Putnams Sons.
New York and London s. Carson a. Co,
San Francisco. We have not been able to
examine this rather elaborate treatise with
that care which iusIities us in passing iudg.
ment upon the interpretations placed upon
the Act commented upon. 1t is evident,
however, that 1t is useful volume, and
that 10 commercial and railroad men il
Will be OF value ana assistance.
Domesticus." tale of 81 The Imperial
City, is by VIM. Allen Butler. 1t is from
The press of Chas. Scribner's Sons, New
York, and is for sale by the Bancroft Com
pany, San Francisco, at 81 %. 1t is an at
tractive allegory. and fine example of
sarcasm. in which the trials of husband
and wife, in the effort to manage house
hold, and their wrestle with the laws relat-
lrg to property of a husband and wife, and
OF the two, are set forth in the most oddly
fascinating way, and in the nature, after
all, OF criticism of things social and gov
ernmental.
With its November issue Babyhood 4"
completes its third year and volume. From
the hrst number it has been a pronounced
success, winning praises from the press.
There is not home in the land. blessed
with small children, but would be made
better for its monthly visits. With its No
yember number is given an index of the
volume Just closed. embracing more than
200 topics. The magazine commences its
fourth year under bright auspices. us
cents copy; 81 so year Babyhood
Publishing Company, Beekman street,
New York
Christian Reds novel. Miss Churchill, y